SOPHIE

The Horizon2020 project Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe (SOPHIE) will explore the complex interplay between the health of the marine environment and that of humans. It also aims to build a network of researchers and practitioners from two traditionally distinct groups; marine and maritime specialists; and the medical and public health community. SOPHIE was launched in December 2017 and will run for 2.5 years.

Deliverables

The project will deliver a clear roadmap for the future direction of Oceans and Human Health research in Europe, to improve our understanding of the impacts environments such as ‘blue spaces’ can have on health and wellbeing.

RIVM role

The European Centre for Environment & Human Health of the University of Exeter coordinates SOPHIE. RIVM is active on two work packages: Innovative Solutions and Future Scenarios and the Strategic Research Agenda. For RIVM this project provides an exciting opportunity to share and further develop our knowledge on a healthy environment for the sea basins in Europe. SOPHIE will also build on ongoing work in the EU Horizon 2020 projects BlueHealth and INHERIT. Susanne Wuijts of RIVM's Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health coordinates, together with Deltares, the work package on Innovative Solutions and Future Scenarios.

Consortium

The project consortium includes members from academia, small and medium-sized businesses, and government. It has specific expertise in developing and implementing public health and environmental policies.